WATCH: “You can’t do anything,” Felix Auger-Aliassime complains about the poor quality of the balls at the 2023 Australian Open during his match against Alex Molcan

American player showed his displeasure with the balls used in the 2023 Australian Open citing the lack of bounce.


WATCH: “You can’t do anything,” Felix Auger-Aliassime complains about the poor quality of the balls at the 2023 Australian Open during his match against Alex Molcan

Felix Auger-Aliassime having conversation with the umpire

American tennis star Felix Auger-Aliassime battled his way through Slovakian opponent Alex Mocan in a well-fought five-setter in the second round of the Australian open. On the way to the victory, he narrowly avoided a second straight defeat to Molcan. But other than the challenge from Molcan the balls used during the match troubled him equally. 

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Auger-Aliassime complained about the quality of the balls being used during the ongoing Australian Open. During the against Slovakian Alex Molčan, Auger-Aliassime looked unhappy with the balls and reached the chair umpire about the same. The lack of bounce was one of the issues cited by the American player. 

“I have never complained about it but the balls are not bouncing. I am hitting normally…I don’t know…you can’t do anything….I have never seen it before,” he was heard saying. Commentators too concurred with the position of the 22-year-old. The impact of the colder temperature because of the closed roof could have been one of the reasons they agreed. 

Related: BREAKING: Rafael Nadal walks off the court

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Before Auger-Aliassime Rafael Nadal too criticized the quality of the balls used in the 2023 Australian Open

Australian Open

Felix Auger-Aliassime is not the first one to criticize the poor quality of the balls being used in the current edition of the Australian Open. Earlier 22-time Grand Slam Open champion Rafael Nadal too showed his displeasure with the quality of the balls that will be used for the first major of the season. “They say it is the same, but the ball is worse quality, without a doubt. We can’t talk about that anymore,” Nadal had said. 

The lack of bounce and loss of pressure has been the biggest concern for the players. “After a couple of hits, the ball loses the pressure. It’s more difficult to hit with the right spin. But I think it’s easier to play when you play flatter on the shots. I need to live with it. I think I practiced enough with the ball to be ready for it,” said Nadal pre-tournament. 

Despite the issues with the balls and being two sets down, Auger-Aliaasime found a way to win the match against Molcan. The sixth seed registered a 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win in Margaret Court Arena.  “When I was able to clinch that third set, I got a lot of belief in myself. My thoughts were way more positive,” he said in the post-match interview. 

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